Hello and welcome to my Ride LTD bindings review.
In this review, I will take a look at the LTD as freestyle snowboard bindings (though you could also use them as all-mountain bindings).
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the LTD a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other freestyle bindings.
NOTE: The 2020 model was the last model of the LTD, so this review will no longer be updated.
Overall Rating
Binding: Ride LTD 2020
Price: $289
Style: Freestyle
Flex Rating: Medium (6/10)
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium (5/10)
Rating Score: 82.1/100
Compared to other Men’s Freestyle Bindings
Out of the 23 men’s freestyle bindings that I rated:
Overview of the LTD's Specs
Check out the tables for the LTD’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Freestyle or All-mountain |
Price: | $289 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Edge-to-edge: | Medium |
Weight: | Normal |
Mounts to: | 2 x 4 | Channel (Micro Disc) |
Sizing
SIZE | US BOOT SIZE | EURO BOOT SIZE | UK BOOT SIZE |
|---|---|---|---|
M | 5-9 | 36.5-42 | 4-8 |
L | 8-12 | 40.5-46 | 7-11 |
XL | 11+ | 45+ | 10+ |
Who are the LTD Most Suited To?
The LTD are a nice medium flexing binding best suited to anyone wanting to ride freestyle/park or more casual/intermediate all-mountain riding.
With their micro disc they have great board feel and they absorb shock well, as well as being nice and comfortable.
Not quite suitable to a beginner, but for an intermediate rider all good.
Matches best with boards with around a 4/10, 5/10 or 6/10 flex.
The LTD in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the LTD are capable of.
Demo Info
Binding: Ride LTD 2020, L
Date: March 10, 2019
Conditions: Mostly sunny and perfect vis.
Groomers were on the firmer side, but not overly hard - and really well groomed - especially first thing, was smooth going and could really confidently bomb and lean into some deep carves.
Got a little cruddy as the day wore on, but was never too bad.
Off-groomer was tracked, but there'd been recent fresh snow a few days prior and there were still some good patches of untracked fresh snow.
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 560mm (22″)
Board demoed with: Ride Machete 2020, 155
Baseplate Length: 26.3cm (10.35”)*
*measured on the top side of the footbed
Highback Height: 20cm (7.87”)*
* from bottom of heel cup to top of highback
Flex
They felt to me around medium. Probably around 5/10, maybe up to 6/10 flex. A little harder to get a read on them, when I couldn't test them with my control board.
Responsiveness
Again, a little hard to get a proper read on them, having not been able to test them on my control board. But I felt they were maybe just that little bit more responsive than middle of the road.
Board Feel/Butterability
Again, not going to say it's that accurate. But board feel felt decent - and it does have a micro disc, which certainly points towards it being pretty good.
Adjustability
Heel Cup: No
Stance Width: OK. But somewhat limited being micro disc
Highback Lean: Yes - tool-less
Ankle Strap Position: No
Toe Strap Position: No
Ankle and toe strap length: Tool-less
Gas pedal/toe ramp extension: No
Highback Rotation: Yes
Compatible with: 2 x 4 | Channel
Not compatible with 4 x 4 due to the micro disc.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Shock Absorption
Soom really good shock absorption for flat landings and absorbed chatter well. Again, not the perfect read, given I was testing them on a different board.
Entry/Exit
Not the smoothest ratchets ever, but not sticky or anything. Good without being amazing, but all you ever need really.
Comfort
All round pretty comfortable. Decent ankle strap and nice toe strap. And the footbed is nice and cush. They also have a canted footbed.
Ankle Support
Not super supportive, but not bad either. If you're someone who wants a bit of support but also a bit more in terms of freedom of movement, then this strikes a good balance.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 24/30 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 20/25 |
RESPONSE | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 82.1/100 |
Without being able to test with my control board, this review isn't as accurate as I would like it to be. But this is what I roughly felt from this binding testing it on a different board - good board feel, comfort and shock absorption and better than average response.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the LTD, or if you are ready to buy, or if you just want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to check out some other freestyle binding options, or if you want to compare how the LTD compare to other freestyle bindings, then check out the next link.
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